Copper Contamination

Copper in Mississippi Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile copper level (mg/L) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

100%

% Exceeds Limit

2.282 mg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

289

Health Violations

Analysis

Copper in Mississippi: what the data shows

Mississippi has 49 cities with copper monitoring data. The state average 90th percentile copper level is 2.282 mg/L, compared to 28.808 mg/L nationally — better than the national average. 49 cities exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L. Copper in drinking water typically comes from corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures, particularly in older homes. The EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L is the 90th percentile threshold — if more than 10% of tap samples exceed it, utilities must take corrective action including adjusting water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. Short-term copper exposure above the action level can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure at elevated levels is associated with liver and kidney damage. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use and using an NSF 53-certified filter can reduce copper exposure.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1.3 mg/L EPA Action Level

Mississippi

100%

49 of 49 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

3953 of 3953 cities

City Map

Copper data across Mississippi

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with copper levels above the 1.3 mg/L EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by copper level in Mississippi

Highest Copper levels (mg/L)

All Cities

All Mississippi cities ranked by copper level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Schlater	9.636 mg/L	Yes	4	C
2	Greenville	5.986 mg/L	Yes	46	D
3	Brooklyn	5.768 mg/L	Yes	1	D+
4	Kiln	3.647 mg/L	Yes	19	D
5	Ashland	3.100 mg/L	Yes	5	B-
6	Gattman	2.950 mg/L	Yes	4	B
7	Carthage	2.930 mg/L	Yes	14	D
8	Byhalia	2.840 mg/L	Yes	5	C+
9	Grenada	2.730 mg/L	Yes	38	F
10	Pope	2.700 mg/L	Yes	5	B-
11	Belmont	2.660 mg/L	Yes	1	A-
12	West Point	2.475 mg/L	Yes	4	D
13	Collins	2.443 mg/L	Yes	6	C
14	Batesville	2.308 mg/L	Yes	16	D
15	Gloster	2.282 mg/L	Yes	1	B
16	Abbeville	2.257 mg/L	Yes	16	C
17	Louisville	2.229 mg/L	Yes	2	D+
18	Liberty	2.150 mg/L	Yes	1	B
19	Oxford	1.996 mg/L	Yes	22	F
20	Choctaw	1.932 mg/L	Yes	4	C+
21	Natchez	1.920 mg/L	Yes	11	B+
22	Pachuta	1.900 mg/L	Yes	0	A-
23	Magnolia	1.820 mg/L	Yes	5	D
24	Newton	1.806 mg/L	Yes	1	C+
25	Ethel	1.789 mg/L	Yes	4	D
26	Hattiesburg	1.780 mg/L	Yes	25	D
27	Carrollton	1.751 mg/L	Yes	1	B
28	Magee	1.720 mg/L	Yes	4	D+
29	Itta Bena	1.709 mg/L	Yes	3	C-
30	Mount Olive	1.695 mg/L	Yes	2	C
31	Tremont	1.693 mg/L	Yes	1	C+
32	Senatobia	1.691 mg/L	Yes	18	D
33	Wesson	1.659 mg/L	Yes	7	C+
34	Hamilton	1.596 mg/L	Yes	2	B
35	Meadville	1.592 mg/L	Yes	10	D
36	Clara	1.590 mg/L	Yes	2	B
37	Bassfield	1.548 mg/L	Yes	1	B
38	Kokomo	1.538 mg/L	Yes	4	B
39	Clarksdale	1.502 mg/L	Yes	56	F
40	Bay Springs	1.502 mg/L	Yes	4	D
41	Columbia	1.497 mg/L	Yes	17	D
42	Porterville	1.482 mg/L	Yes	1	B-
43	Tutwiler	1.480 mg/L	Yes	99	D
44	Boyle	1.469 mg/L	Yes	25	D
45	Mccomb	1.466 mg/L	Yes	19	D
46	Hernando	1.448 mg/L	Yes	11	D+
47	Preston	1.399 mg/L	Yes	1	B-
48	Winona	1.387 mg/L	Yes	12	D
49	Madison	1.351 mg/L	Yes	2	B

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about copper in Mississippi

Is copper in Mississippi drinking water safe?

49 cities in Mississippi exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L for copper. The state average is 2.282 mg/L. Copper levels are highest in homes with copper plumbing, particularly when water sits in pipes overnight. Flushing the tap before use significantly reduces copper in drinking water.

What causes high copper levels in Mississippi tap water?

Copper typically leaches from copper pipes and brass fittings within homes, not from the water source itself. Corrosive (low pH or soft) water accelerates this leaching. Water utilities with high copper readings are required to adjust water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. You can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use.

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